Chapter 8: Sharing the Road

A driver’s responsibility extends beyond simply controlling their own vehicle; it involves safely interacting with a diverse mix of road users. Understanding how to share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, large trucks, and emergency vehicles is a critical component of defensive driving and a major topic on the driver’s license exam. These rules are not just about courtesy—they are laws designed to protect the most vulnerable and to ensure that all road users can navigate the transportation system safely.

Sharing the road means recognizing that different road users have different capabilities and vulnerabilities. Drivers of passenger vehicles must adjust their speed and position to accommodate pedestrians, slower-moving bicycles, large trucks with massive blind spots, and emergency vehicles responding to a crisis. Adhering to these specific rules of interaction is a legal and ethical obligation for every driver.

Pedestrians and Bicyclists

Pedestrians and bicyclists are the most vulnerable users of the roadway. They lack the protection of a motor vehicle, and a collision can easily result in severe injury or death. Drivers must exercise the highest degree of care to protect them.

Pedestrians

Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in all marked and unmarked crosswalks. At a stop sign or red light, a driver must not block the crosswalk, as this forces pedestrians to walk into the path of traffic.

• Blind Pedestrians: A driver must always come to a complete stop when approaching a pedestrian who is carrying a white cane (with or without a red tip) or is being guided by a service animal. The driver must remain stopped until the person is safely across the street.
• General Caution: Be especially watchful for children, who may dart into the street unexpectedly, particularly in residential areas, school zones, and near parks.

Bicyclists and Motorcyclists

In Missouri, bicyclists and motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles.

• Give a Full Lane: A motorcycle or bicycle is entitled to the use of a full traffic lane. Drivers should never attempt to share a lane by driving alongside them.
• Safe Passing: When passing a bicyclist or motorcyclist, a driver must give them a full lane’s width. Do not squeeze past them. Slow down and wait for a safe opportunity to move completely into the adjacent lane to pass.
• Judging Speed: It can be difficult to accurately judge the speed and distance of a motorcycle or bicycle. Assume they are closer and moving faster than they appear, and allow extra following distance.